FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OSC
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1998
(202) 616-2765
TDD (202) 514-1888
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION GRANTS AWARDED WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Eight non-profit organizations in five states will receive $640,000 in grants to conduct public education programs to educate workers and employers about immigration-related employment discrimination, announced the Justice Department today.
This discrimination may occur when employers ask some, but not all employees for verification of work eligibility to treat workers differently because of appearance, language or accent.
The grants were awarded by the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) of the Civil Rights Division to organizations serving both employers and employees in California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas.
"Educating workers, employers and the general public about their rights and responsibilities under our immigration laws advances our mission to prevent and combat immigration-related employment discrimination," said Special Counsel John D. Trasviña.
"These and other partnerships with community-based and professional organizations enable us to better serve and inform the public, including victims of discrimination," added Trasviña.
The grants, which range from $50,000 to $95,000 will promote anti-discrimination education and awareness throughout the country and in local communities. Activities funded under the grants include workshops, immigrant assistance hotlines and information provided at neighborhood grocery stores.
Grant recipients are:
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California, Los Angeles
Catholic Charities, Dallas
Catholic Charities, Houston
Erie House, Chicago
Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Miami
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Miami
Mexican American Grocers Association, Los Angeles
Victim Services, New York City
For more information about protections against discrimination under the immigration laws, call, toll-free 1-800-255-7688, or 202-616-5594 or write to:
Office of Special Counsel for Immigration
Related Unfair Employment Practices
Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice
P.O. Box 27728
Washington, D.C. 20038-7728
Email: osc.crt@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/
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